Hawks probe South African recruitment for Russian forces

UKRAINE'S Ambassador to South Africa, Olexander Scherba, says prominent South Africans were involved in luring a group of South Africans who are now fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Russia.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

The Mercury reported on Monday that the South African Police Service has confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, is investigating a case opened against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla over allegations that she was involved in facilitating the recruitment of 17 South Africans who travelled to Russia.

The case was opened by former president Jacob Zuma’s eldest daughter, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, against her sister Zuma-Sambudla, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK party) Member of Parliament.

Zuma-Mncube laid charges against three individuals ~ her sister Zuma-Sambudla, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza - alleging that they played key roles in luring South African men to Russia under false pretences before handing them over to a mercenary outfit operating in Ukraine.